Whether you rodeo or love recreational riding, there are things to consider before you buy a horse that can make a significant difference to your success as a horse owner.
Reasons To Buy a Horse
Why do you want to buy a horse? It’s one thing if you’re buying a horse for barrel racing, roping, or reining competitions, and it’s another if you’re looking to keep a horse for recreational riding. If you’re buying a horse for competitions, you’ll need to thoroughly check out its pedigree, competitive history, and training, along with its current fitness and health. Recreational riders should be no less conscientious in examining a horse’s fitness, health history, and test results.
Ongoing Costs
Prospective horse owners should be aware of the ongoing costs associated with keeping a horse, including vet services, boarding, feed, and waste removal. Additionally, they should not overlook expenses for tack and supplies, transportation, and regular maintenance.
Documentation
Ensure all necessary documentation is in order before finalizing the purchase. Review the health records, proof of ownership transfer, and, if you’re buying a purebred, registration papers. Proper documentation is essential for verifying the horse’s history and health status.
Horse Temperament, Gender, and Age
Consider the temperament, gender, and age of the horse. These factors significantly affect the horse’s behavior and compatibility with the owner. A calm, well-trained horse is preferable for beginners, while more experienced riders may seek a horse with specific traits for competitions or breeding.
Vet Services
Regular vet check-ups are crucial for maintaining the horse’s health. Familiarize yourself with nearby veterinary services that specialize in equine care. Make sure you’ll have veterinary services available near where you’ll keep your horse. Ensure you are prepared for both routine medical care and emergency situations.
Boarding, Feed, and Waste Removal
If you cannot accommodate a horse on your property, research local boarding options. Understand the costs and services provided, including feed and waste management, to ensure they meet your standards and budget.
Tack and Supplies
Acquiring the right tack and supplies, such as saddles, bridles, grooming tools, and protective gear, is vital for both the horse’s comfort and the rider’s safety. Prioritize quality and suitability over price.
- A 7-piece assortment of grooming essentials in a durable nylon tote bag for easy organization and carrying
- Includes a comb, hoof pick, palm held curry comb, palm held face brush, mane and tail brush, dandy brush and sweat scraper/coarse curry combo
- Comfortable webbing handles, and an adjustable, padded shoulder strap
- Other features include a convenient top drawstring closure, plastic feet that protect bottom of bag, a flexible retaining strap and comfortable webbing handles
- GREAT TASTE GUARANTEED – If your horse does not find our Bite-Size Nuggets irresistible we will refund your purchase.
- GREAT VALUE – Over 300 horse treats per bag!
- PACKED WITH VITAMINS AND MINERALS – Packed with vitamins and minerals in each treat.
- POCKET SIZED HORSE TREATS – Small size is great for rewarding and training!
- PEPPERMINT FLAVORED TRAINING TREATS – No horse can resist yummy peppermint flavor!
- GREAT TASTE GUARANTEED – If your horse does not find our Bite-Size Nuggets irresistible we will refund your purchase.
- GREAT VALUE – Over 300 horse treats per bag!
- PACKED WITH VITAMINS AND MINERALS – Packed with vitamins and minerals in each treat.
- POCKET SIZED HORSE TREATS – Small size is great for rewarding and training!
- APPLE FLAVORED TRAINING TREATS – No horse can resist yummy apple flavor!
- Straw covers cap accessories compatible with stanley cup tumbler 30 & 40 oz.
- Designed inspired by cowboy hats, this straw topper is so unique and distinctive.
- Food grade silicone material, BPA free, dishwasher safe.
- Black, white, pink, brown, 1 set of 4 colors, match as you like.
- Due to its unique style, it is a good choice whether for your own use or as a christmas gift.
- Easy to Use: the horse bling accessory clip is remarkably easy to install and remove; With the wrap cloth of hair clip being brown in color, it easily blends with horse's fur, creating a natural and...
- Ample Size and Quantity: each hair tinsel clip is about 18.8 inches or 47.7 cm in length and 1.5 inches in width, designed thoughtfully to fit well and to provide a visual impact; This package...
- Wide Application: whether it's a skillful competition or a joyous celebration, a grand wedding or a vibrant party, these hair accessories can elevate various occasions; Not just limited to horse...
- Robust PET Material: made from PET material, these bling accessories exhibit a robust construction; They are designed to withstand the wear and tear of consistent usage, promising a long lifespan;...
- Ideal Present: the horse bling accessory makes an ideal present for bridles, horse lovers, friends and more; This accessory can be truly gift worthy; With an appeal and a visual impact, the accessory...
- VERSATILE GROOMING TOOL: This multifunctional grooming instrument is essential for pet owners as it ingeniously fuses the features of a scrubber, a bathing brush, a massager, and a shower. This...
- PREMIUM-GRADE QUALITY: The equine bath brush, made from premium 100% silicone, provides enduring, flexible use, and delivers a thorough cleanse for livestock's coat and skin. Its high-grade material...
- ALL-IN KIT: This innovative bath brush with shower includes a 3-foot heavy-duty hose with included adapter for a garden hose for ease of use. Whether it's for horses, livestock, or a big dog, this...
- RELAXING BATH: Designed with adjustable high and low settings, the washing brush for pets, such as horses, allows you to control the water pressure for a relaxing yet thorough bath. Whether your horse...
- THE JOY OF GROOMING: Find the perfect balance between thoughtfulness and practicality with the Aquapaw Equine Bath Brush. An ideal gift for your four-legged friend, it enhances the grooming experience...
- Abundant Quantity and Rich Style: treat your horse to quality fly boots that feature attractive colors; Providing you with 8 pieces, these mesh fly boots for horse cater to the demands of daily use...
- Breathable Comfort: witness the brilliance of the horse leg wraps that are crafted using quality mesh material; These horse leg wraps are compact, breathable, and add no burden to the horse's legs;...
- Ample Support: stability matters the most; These fly boots for horses are ingeniously supported by PVC stays, providing unmatched stability while eliminating the threat of sagging; These...
- Reducing Annoying Stomps: fly bites and infestation are perpetual nuisances that cause to constant and annoying stomping; These stomps can trigger joint irritation, hoof scratches, and muscle fatigue;...
- Repeated Use Prolonged Life: our horse leg wraps are designed to last; Even with regular use, just a simple clean of gently spraying them with water and drying will bring them back to top condition;...
- 【BEST HORSE LOVERS GIFT】Everyone love horses...this is a beautiful tribute to the bond between horse and horse lovers. These angel sculptures are the perfect gift for any horse lover, young or...
- 【SENTIMENT】"Truly a Friend, Always Together with Me" written on enclosure card, you really can feel the emotion that it's trying to convey, this horse angel statue is a great reminder of the...
- 【PREMIUM QUALITY】Our angel statue figurine is made of resin material and hand-painted, nice quality and can be cherished for years. A standing angel in a white dress, with her arms around the...
- 【ANGEL DECOR】These sweet remembrance angel figurines can be placed on table, dresser, mantel, or shelf and an addition to a horse collection, just a good size to add interest In small places....
- 【EXQUISITE PACKAGES】You will receive a guardian angel figurine, a gift box and enclosure card, no additional packaging required, give this angel statue as gifts of comfort and encouragement,...
- Rugged knot reference guide for horse riding scenarios with step-by-step, color-coded knot tying diagrams designed to be easy to follow, including descriptions and usage tips
- Includes mini carabiner for clipping this pocket-sized equine knot book to your tack bag, or keeping it handy at camp
- A packable alternative to paper horse books or phone apps that covers the essential horse riding, horse packing, and horse camping knots
- Portable, durable, completely waterproof card format is perfect for use in dirty and muddy environments
- Printed on super thick premium plastic card stock for unmatched durability -- these things are designed to last
- Sparkling Brilliance: Crafted with carefully selected glitter and shimmer, our Horse Bling Accessory creates a captivating glow on your horse's mane and tail, attracting everyone's attention under the...
- Easy to Use: Our Horse Bling Accessory is incredibly easy to install and remove, requiring no complicated steps. You can quickly add a stunning touch to your horses before the wedding.
- High-Quality Materials: We prioritize quality, using premium materials to ensure durability and longevity. Whether it's indoors or outdoors, these accessories will withstand the test of time, keeping...
- Perfect Gift Choice: Whether as a special gift for the bride or a delightful surprise for horse lovers, our Horse Bling Accessory is a perfect choice. It not only adds a touch of brilliance to the...
- Versatile Usage: Apart from weddings, our Horse Bling Accessory is suitable for various occasions such as competitions, celebrations, and parties, making your horses the center of attention.
- Safe for your pet: This cow scratcher brush is designed to relieve the discomfort caused by animals' seasonal sideburns' hair loss, mosquito itching, and other problems;The scratch pad features a...
- Perfect size for farm animal: This cattle scratcher is 14.17 inches long and 11.81 inches wide, the perfect size for pets;Suitable for cattle, sheep, horses, pigs and other animals to massage and...
- Multi purpose:As well as being a mat for your horse to rub against itchiness, it can also help administer medicine immediately; If your animal has dermatitis, the medication can be applied to the top...
- Easy installation: Our cow brush scratcher posts are very easy to install, each pad comes with 16 nails 3 cm long for easy installation on the wood surface; Our design allows multiple pads to be...
- Multiple application scenarios: Our anti-itch mats are flexible and durable enough to wrap around a post or corner, or they can be mounted on a plank wall and are less likely to split; Easy to remove,...
Transportation
Transportation is an aspect of horse ownership many overlook. Whether for moving the horse to different locations or attending competitions, having access to or arranging suitable transport is essential.
If you love trail rides, be sure to check whether your destination allows you to bring your horse in and park your trailer and what the rules are for trail riding where you’re going. For example, Big Bend National Park in south Texas is great for camping as a horse owner because it allows horses on its gravel roads and in limited areas in the Chisos mountains. However, you could not bring your horse on pavement in that park.
Taking a “Test Ride”
Taking a “test ride” can provide valuable insight into the horse’s behavior, gait, and compatibility with the rider. It’s an opportunity to assess firsthand whether the horse meets your expectations and requirements.
Thoroughly examining these considerations before you buy a horse ensures that you are well-prepared for the responsibilities and joys of horse ownership. Doing so will help establish a rewarding relationship between you and your horse, grounded in mutual respect and understanding.
